Repair Techniques of Hernias

Hernia is predominantly caused by muscular weakness or weakness or supporting structures. This painful condition is seen in all age groups and causes range from congenital weakness to improper action techniques.

Incases which the herniated portion is movable and it can be moved back into its proper position it is called reducible hernia and in cases where it cannot be reduced it is called irreducible hernia.  The dangers of irreducible hernias are that they can become strangulated at any time. This happens due to loss of blood supply and may lead to death and gangrene of the affected part.

Strangulated hernias is a surgical emergency and need to be corrected immediately otherwise it may prove fatal.  This is the reason why the surgeons prefer correcting the hernias in the reducible phase when it is almost painless and asymptomatic.  In this phase it can be corrected with minimal damage and threat to life.

Hernia repair can be done under local or general anesthesia.  Hernia repair if done in the first phase is a comparatively harmless operation but it is not recommended in all cases. Attempts are made to combat the hernia with conservative means. In cases of smokers or alcoholics minor surgery may have severe complications.

Hernia repair can be done in three ways. Firstly by reducing the hernia and repairing the opening so that future herniation will not occur; secondly by cutting off the trapped portion and anastomosing the rest of the gut; thirdly by strengthening the weak muscular wall by a steel or synthetic mesh so that the herniation does not occur.  The first procedure is called herniorrhaphy, while the second procedure is called herniotomy. Herniotomy is used in case of strangulated hernia repair. The third procedure is called hernioplasty. This is used in cases of elderly people where the muscle strength and muscle tone is low. The mesh strengthens the muscular wall and prevents recurrence of hernia.